Search form

Search form

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have indicated they will oppose a Department of Defense proposal to increase TRICARE fees for military retirees. The proposal would affect TRICARE for Life users and add fees based on an individual's income.

Related Summaries

The Senate Armed Services Committee has rejected a Pentagon proposal to increase Tricare pharmacy copays and fees, mirroring an earlier move by its House counterpart. The Senate committee's 2014 defense authorization bill also omits White House proposals for increased Tricare enrollment fees for retirees; new or higher deductibles, fees and copayments for working-age retirees; and higher pharmacy copays for all beneficiaries.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is warning that congressional plans to alter the 2013 budget could have far-reaching consequences. The proposal includes a controversial fee increase for military retirees in the TRICARE system.

The Army should continue to promote advances in Army medicine, such as the requirement that flight medics go through more rigorous paramedic certification, says Maj. Gen. David Rubenstein, departing commander of the Army Medical Department Center and School. He says incorporating lessons learned from field operations and combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and enhanced training for medical personnel are among the areas where the Army should keep seeking innovation.

Two genes that control serotonin production may help determine whether an individual will develop post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Researchers hope the identification will also assist in the development of effective treatment options.

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Patty Murray, D-Wash., has launched an investigation into the Army's handling of treatment for service personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder. The Army has been investigating claims that PTSD diagnoses were reversed in service members being considered for medical retirement because of cost concerns, and Murray said she wanted to ensure an "in-depth" probe that resulted in every individual receiving the treatment he or she needs.